Experts to examine optimal treatment strategies for kidney cancer

The various strategies for the optimal treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) will open the 1st International State-of-the Art on Prostate and Kidney Cancers Conference which will be held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands from September 26 to 27.

Kidney cancer experts from the U.S., the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands will focus on issues such as the benefits of imaging in diagnosis, preserving renal function, robot-assisted nephron-sparing surgery and systemic therapies, among other topics.

"There will be an interesting debate regarding surgery in oligometastatic RCC and state-of-the-art lectures. All in all the meeting will certainly lead to a thorough and exciting discussion of prospects and dilemmas in the challenging field of kidney cancer,” said Prof. Susanne Osanto (NL) member of the Scientific Committee of the European Uro-Oncology Group, organiser of the event.

Raymond Oyen (BE) will give the first lecture “Can imaging guide to assess the diagnosis?” and present the role of new imaging techniques in diagnosing kidney cancer. From the U.S. Steven Campbell will tackle issues on operation time and warm ischemia, which remains a challenge for surgeons in preserving renal function.

The advantages and drawbacks in robot-assisted surgery, particularly in nephron-sparing techniques while addressing health costs will be taken up by Karim Touijer (U.S.). The use of robotics in renal surgery has gained ground in recent years but questions remain particularly on complications, evidence-based benefits vis-à-vis the high costs of robot-assisted procedures.

A panel discussion will examine the optimal outcome determinant after surgery for kidney cancer with Peter Mulders (NL) and Tim Eisen (UK) as chairpersons. Eisen will lecture on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) potency, specificity and efficacy, and how these various aspects are linked and their impact on treatment regimens.

In the same panel discussion, Alain Ravaud (FR) will look into m-TOR inhibitor blockade in RCC, while Bernard Escudier (FR) will discuss sorafenib, the first TKI licensed in RCC. In the debate session, Hendrik van Poppel will take the pro stance regarding surgery for oligometastatic RCC, an issue that remains controversial, while Escudeir will take up the contra position.

"This international conference is unique in the sense that it will enable clinicians to have the most recent developments and updates on prostate and kidney cancers, with viewpoints from various experts,” said Osanto adding that the meeting is not only comprehensive but also offers concise insights into state-of-the-art treatment strategies.

The meeting’s second-day agenda will cover challenges and progress in localized prostate cancer (PCa), targeting bone and bone metastases, contemporary approache in PCa treatment, and clinical metastases and response assessment issues in clinical trials, among other issues.

The discussions will examine controversies, recent developments and complex cases.

With the centrally located InterContinental Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam as meeting venue, participants can also explore the city well-known for its cultural and artistic legacies such as art museums and iconic architecture.

For details and other information, check out the meeting website at: http://www.euog.org/Accreditation: EACCME accreditation is granted for this meeting with 11 as maximum applicable CME points. The EACCME/EBU credit system is based on 1 European CME Credit (ECMEC) per hour with a maximum of 6 ECMECs for a full-day event. EACCME/EBU credits are recognized by the American Medical Association towards the Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA).